Infertility Books

IT TAKES TWO - REPRODUCING NATURALLY TODAY
Dr Judy Ford
November 1997. Published by Environmental & Genetic Solutions, Adelaide, South Australia.
(200 pages, RRP AU$19.95)

Dr. Judy Ford uses her own 27 years research and counselling, and other international research findings, to give amazing insight into the real problems underlying reproductive difficulty. Her style is compassionate, light, and in places, humorous; essential reading for all those with problems. "it takes two" is a guide for those who wish to avoid problems and optimize the health of their babies, naturally.

BATTLES WITH THE BABY GODS
Amanda Hampson
1997. Published by Doubleday, Sydney.
(265 pages, RRP AU$19.95)

This book relates true stories of couples with unexplained infertility, couples who tried ART procedures, couples who tried donor sperm, eggs, embryos, couples who opted for adoption, couples who suffered multiple miscarriages and stillbirths, and couples who are now living childfree.

INFERTILITY ON THE INTERNET: HOW TO GET ON-LINE AND IN CHARGE OF YOUR FERTILITY
Julie Watson
1997. Published by Conceiving Concepts, Inc., Kentucky, USA.
(176 pages, US$14.95)

This book is an excellent infertility resource book. The author Julie Watson knows what it's like on the infertility roller-coaster and is sensitive to the needs and concerns of infertile people. This step-by-step guide shows you: What the Internet is and what you need to get on-line; How to get on-line even if you don't own a computer or know how to use one; How to access Web sites (over 250 addresses listed containing fertility information); How to use mailing lists, newsgroups, and chat rooms for support; and How to properly search the Net to find the specific information you need. You can order this book straight from the publishers above.

WISHING FOR A BABY: A PRECONCEPTION JOURNAL
Julie Watson
1997. Published by Conceiving Concepts, Inc., Kentucky, USA.
(156 pages, US$19.95)

This spiral-bound workbook contains 10 sections covering the whole realm of fertility management. Section partitions help explain how to use each section’s worksheets: Charting your Fertility Signs; Daydreaming of Your Child; Natural Fertility Treatments; Fertility Decision Making; Managing Friends & Family; Medical Fertility Intervention; Doctor’s Appointments; Grief/Pregnancy Loss; Money, Money, Money; and Success! For more information about this workbook, please visit the publisher's webpage above.

GETTING PREGNANT: A COMPASSIONATE GUIDE TO GETTING PREGNANT.
Dr Robert Jansen.
1997. Published in Australia by Allen & Unwin, Sydney.
(464 pages, AU$29.95)

This book explores how those affected by infertility can best overcome it by relating to their partner, to their physician, to society, and to their own psychology, and biology. The book covers possible remedies such as hormone treatment, microsurgery, IVF and GIFT procedures, as well as surrogacy and sperm and egg donation. You can also visit Dr Jansen's webpage to order the book or for general infertility information.

TAKING CHARGE OF YOUR FERTILITY.
Toni Weschler, MPH.
1995. Published by Harper Perennial, Division of Harper Collins Publishers.
(383 pages, AU$37.95)

Explores low-tech methods of infertility, pre-conception care and natural methods of contraception. The definitive guide to natural birth control and pregnancy achievement.

HAVING YOUR BABY BY DONOR INSEMINATION. A COMPLETE RESOURCE GUIDE.
Elizabeth Noble.
1987. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company, Boston.
(462 pages, AU$27.95)

Covers coming to terms with male infertility, the experience of donor insemination, ethical and moral dilemmas and using known or anonymous sperm donors.

LET THE OFFSPRING SPEAK. DISCUSSIONS ON DONOR CONCEPTION.
1997. Published by the Donor Conception Support Group.
(Available from The Donor Conception Support Group, PO Box 53, Georges Hall NSW 2198, Australia. Telephone: 02 9724 1366.)
(182 pages, AU$25 plus postage)

A much needed book. The topics include: coming to terms with not being able to have a biological child, how we talk to our children about donor conception, do our children have a right to information on their donors, and how do donor conceived children feel when they are adults.

MAKING SENSE OF ADOPTION. A PARENT'S GUIDE.
Lois Ruskai Melina.
1989. Published by Harper & Row Publishers Inc., NY.
(277 pages, AU$19.95)

The book includes conversations and activities for families formed through adoption, donor insemination, donor egg, surrogacy, and in-vitro fertilization.

MISCARRIAGE: WOMEN'S EXPERIENCES AND NEEDS.
Christine Moulder.
1990. Published by Harper Collins, Glasgow.
(284 pages, AU$19.95)

A comprehensive guide to miscarriage which include many women's stories. A book that destroys the myth that miscarriage is a trivial matter.

SURVIVING INFERTILITY - A COMPASSIONATE GUIDE THROUGH THE EMOTIONAL CRISIS OF INFERTILITY.
Linda P Salzer.
1991. Published by Harper Collins, NY.
(389 pages, AU$27.95)

Includes emotional reactions and how to communicate about infertility and strengthen relationships. It covers how to talk about infertility with your partner, how to keep the relationship strong, when to get help and where to find support.

SWEET GRAPES: HOW TO STOP BEING INFERTILE AND START LIVING AGAIN.
Jean W. Carter.
1991. Published by Perspectives Press.
(US$12.00)

Informative and entertaining while dealing with the issue of childlessness. Reviews the advantages and disadvantages of accepting infertility and choosing childlessness, and the reasons why couples may or may not have difficulty in accepting this option.

THE NATURAL WAY TO BETTER BABIES. PRECONCEPTION HEALTH CARE FOR PROSPECTIVE PARENTS.
Francesca Naish & Janette Roberts.
1996. Published by Random House Australia Pty Ltd, Milsons Point.
(372 pages, AU$24.95)

Written by a naturopath/herbalist and pharmacist/nutritionist. Covers food, the environment and lifestyle before you conceive which can have a profound effect on the well-being of your baby. Reading this book can prevent miscarriage, premature and stillbirths and has an 80% success rate in the treatment of unexplained infertility.

WHEN THE DREAM IS SHATTERED
Judith & Michael Murray.
1988. Lutheran Publishing House, Adelaide.
(447 pages, AU$19.95)

Sensitively covers areas such as infertility, miscarriage, premature birth, loss of a newborn, and abnormality.

WHEN YOU CAN'T HAVE A CHILD
Susan Powell & Helen Stagoll.
1992. Published by Allen & Unwin, North Sydney.
(160 pages, AU$16.95)

Personal stories of living through infertility and childlessness. Suggests many possibilities for living rewarding and fulfilling lives without children and considers new possibilities as co-parenting.

THE CHANCE OF A LIFETIME INFERTILITY AND IVF
Carol Dettmann & Douglas Sounders.
1987. Published by Penguin.

Although some parts are a bit out of date, this book gives good descriptions of infertility, and follows some patients through the process on an emotional level as well as a physical one.

PATIENT LETTERS - PERSONAL EXPERIENCES OF IVF.
Members of IVF Friends.
1995. Published by IVF Friends Inc.
(Available from IVF Friends, GPO Box 482G, Melbourne VIC 3001.)

The book is a collection of 69 letters written by couples undergoing infertility treatment at Monash over ten years. It includes some happy and some sad stories of outcomes of infertility treatments.

ALTERNATIVE FERTILITY TREATMENTS
Nicky Wesson.
1997. Published by Vermillion, London.
(192 pages, AU$19.95)

The book covers medical and alternative treatments that can and have worked. It includes stories from people who have been successful with each type of treatment. It is not extreme in the way that it portrays alternatives - rather, it suggests that both medical and alternative treatment can be used together.

NEVER TO BE A MOTHER. A GUIDE FOR ALL WOMEN WHO DIDN'T
- OR COULDN'T HAVE CHILDREN.
Linda Hunt Anton.
1992. Published by HarperCollins Publishers, New York.
(200 pages)

This book confronts the emotional aspects of infertility, such as the feelings of loss that childlessness brings. It quotes many women's experiences with infertility, and explains the 10 steps to healing the heartache and leading a rich, childfree life.

THE LANGUAGE OF FERTILITY: A REVOLUTIONARY MIND-BODY PROGRAM FOR CONSCIOUS CONCEPTION.
Niravi B. Payne, Brenda Lane Richardson.
1997. Published by Random House.
(288 pages)

This book is all about regaining a sense of yourself which in turn improves fertility. The primary goal is peace and acceptance - and other good things come from that.

HELPING THE STORK: THE CHOICES AND CHALLENGES OF DONOR INSEMINATION.
Carol Frost Vercollone MSW, Heidi Moss NSW, Robert Moss PhD.
1997. Published by Macmillan.
(302 pages, US$14.95)

In this book parents-to-be, friends, family, doctors, and counsellors, can explore the choices and challenges raised by this alternative to overcoming childlessness. The book moves through each step of the process: reaching a solid decision about whether donor insemination is the best choice for a family's future; handling the difficult issue of privacy; selecting a donor; getting started; and learning to thrive as a family meeting donor insemination's added challenges.

LABOURS OF EVE - WOMEN'S EXPERIENCE OF INFERTILITY.
Katherine Barnby.
1995. Published by Boxtree Ltd, London.
(154 pages, AU$19.95)

Based on a BBC Series, Katherine Barnby talks to women about their experience of infertility. They speak about their worries, their experiences with doctors, problems with their partners and, in some cases, the decision not to go ahead with possible treatments. Others talk frankly about what those treatments really involve, physically and emotionally, and the drawbacks and side-effects which accompany them, while Katherine Barnby provides medical background. Finally, each woman discusses how it feels to have a child, or to accept that she never will.

INFERTILITY - NEW CHOICES, NEW DILEMMAS.
Elizabeth Bryan and Ronald Higgins.
1995. Published by Penguin Books, London.
(259 pages, AU$16.95)

After telling their personal story, the authors review the nature and significance of the reproductive revolution, including: investigations and causes, psychological and emotional factors, new treatments for women and men, the chances of success and the outlook for the children, adoption and fostering, bereavement and coping with childlessness, current controversies, and the case for public provision.

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